Strongsville GOP Calls on The Strongsville School Board to Withdraw The Proposed Permanent Property Tax Increase Levy From The Ballot

In light of recent revelations, we must once again address the troubling developments surrounding the Strongsville City Schools School Board's proposed 4.9 mill permanent property tax increase levy. The facts that have emerged since our last statement (see below) further underscore the issues we have been raising and demonstrate a clear disregard for the community's best interests.

On June 5th, Strongsville School Board President Richard Micko met with 15 members of the Strongsville GOP Executive Board members. At this meeting, a tax levy plan was presented as the response to the previous two failed attempts by the school board to renew a $9.8M levy that were both soundly rejected by voters in November 2023 and again in March 2024 due to the significant cash balance in now reaching nearly $80M maintained by the Strongsville Schools and the realization that NOT ONE DOLLAR of the 2019 tax levy had even been spent to date.
 
Board President Micko’s plan, which ultimately was approved by the full board on Thursday, August 1, proposed a new tax levy that he claimed was a reduction in overall taxes by $600,000 ($9.8M reduced to $9.2M). This claim was acknowledged to be false after it came to light that the Strongsville School Board members were fully aware at that time of an additional $2.4 million in revenue they would be receiving from the recent Cuyahoga County property reappraisal. This increase in revenue was never disclosed at the June 5th meeting, making the proposed levy not a reduction, but a PERMANENT PROEPRTY TAX INCREASE on Strongsville residents.

Further compounding the situation, in a conversation on July 9th, the same board member informed Strongsville GOP President Shannon Burns that when this obviously flawed permanent tax increase levy fails in November, the Board would not consider presenting another levy in May. Instead, they would implement severe cuts amounting to $10 million annually, which would have a detrimental impact on our children’s education. This approach appears to be a punitive strategy aimed at pressuring voters into approving the levy rather than addressing the community’s genuine concerns and needs.

Additionally, Cleveland.com reported that Board members acknowledged that the proposed tax levy would cost the district between $30,000 and $40,000 to put on the ballot—funds that would be wasted in a failed attempt to secure additional revenue. This misallocation of resources is unacceptable and demonstrates a lack of accountability and fiscal responsibility. Simply put, continuing on this track, in our opinion, is purposefully acting against the best interest of the district in favor of future political gain.

In response to these issues, we call upon the School Board to withdraw the proposed permanent tax increase levy at their meeting on August 22nd. 

Withdrawing the levy would save the taxpayers between $30,000 and $40,000 and allow time for the board to change course and respect the will of the voters. As communicated in our original statement (see below), Strongsville GOP presented at the last board meeting a fair and reasonable alternative plan that would have produce a revenue-neutral outcome – leaving the district with the same amount of revenue as the previous 5 years (including the $2.4M increase) instead of increasing our taxes permanently.

We urge all concerned citizens to attend this Thursday’s meeting to voice their opposition to both the current levy and any future attempts to impose permanent tax increases on our community. The meeting starts at 7 pm on Thursday, August 22nd at The School Administration Building located at 18199 Cook Ave, Strongsville, OH 44136. It is imperative that we hold our elected officials accountable and ensure that our schools are funded in a manner that respects the financial constraints and preferences of Strongsville residents.

The Strongsville GOP remains committed to advocating for transparent, responsible governance and will continue to fight for the best interests of our community. We encourage all residents to engage actively in this critical discussion and stand together in rejecting unjustified tax increases.




PREVIOUS STATEMENT
AUGUST 2, 2024


Strongsville City Schools School Board Votes to Put a Permanent Property Tax Increase on The November Ballot

As President of the Strongsville GOP, I must express our profound disappointment and concern over the Strongsville City Schools School Board's decision to place a 4.9 mill levy on the ballot. This will result in a permanent property tax increase for Strongsville residents at a time when many are already hurting.

On July 9th, the School Board initiated this process by requesting the revenue value of a NEW 4.9 mill levy from the County government, anticipating it would generate $9.2 million annually—a minor reduction from the original $9.8 million levy that was already rejected twice by Strongsville voters in November and again in March. Notably, this new levy is intended to be a permanent measure, removing future voter input, a decision we believe is fundamentally flawed and out of step with the community's preferences.

At last night’s meeting, I, along with many concerned citizens, urged the School Board to reconsider making this a permanent levy. Strongsville voters have twice rejected the current tax levy, and they deserve the right to hold the School Board accountable through regular reviews every five years. Additionally, when the initial 4.9 mill proposal was considered, the Board was not aware of the additional $2.4 million the school system would receive from the property tax increase assessed to Strongsville residents due to Cuyahoga County’s recent revaluation of our property values. Moving forward with this levy equates to a direct tax increase for our residents.

We proposed a sensible alternative: a 3.5 mill levy, a revenue-neutral solution, which would provide the necessary funding for our schools while offering much-needed tax relief to our community. We feel this proposal would build unity in the community while providing the necessary funding to continue excellence for our children. Unfortunately, the School Board chose not to adopt this balanced approach and, instead, voted unanimously to advance the PERMANENT TAX INCREASE with the 4.9 mill levy.

Moreover, the Board's discussions included strategies for severe spending cuts that would adversely affect our children should the voters reject this levy. This approach is the typical playbook used by politicians to scare our community and cajole them into voting for tax increases. It is wholly unnecessary and alarmist, given that the Strongsville Schools have not yet expended any funds from the previous tax levy, leaving nearly five years' worth of the current levy’s tax revenue in the bank, further increasing the school cash balance to nearly $80 million.

The Strongsville GOP stands firm in advocating for fiscal responsibility and transparency. We believe the School Board's decision does not reflect the best interests of our community. We urge Strongsville residents to consider these factors carefully and continue to hold our elected officials accountable.

Make Your Voice Heard!

We encourage all Strongsville voters to express their opinions on this topic directly to the members of the Board. You may do so by sending an email or calling them using the below information:

To send an email to all 5 members
[email protected]

Mr. Richard Micko
President
[email protected]
440.238.9988

Mrs. Laura Wolfe-Housum
[email protected]
440.915.4871

Mrs. Michelle Bissell
Vice President
[email protected]
216.410.5575

Mrs. Sharon Kilbane
[email protected]
440.785.7892

Ms. Hayley Stovcik
[email protected]
[No Public Phone Number Available]

Thank you.
Shannon Burns
President, Strongsville GOP